Canku Ota

(Many Paths)

An Online Newsletter Celebrating Native America

February 7, 2004 - Issue 106

"Ka-hay Sho-o Dah Chi"

The Crow Greeting

Hello. How are you?

Yellowstone Procession by Daniel Smith

"Kohmagi mashath "

The gray month (when trees are bare and vegetation is scarce)

Pima

"A Warrior is challenged to assume responsibility, practice humility, and display the power of giving, and then center his or her life around a core of spirituality. I challenge today's youth to live like a warrior."
~Billy Mills~

We Salute
Mitiarjuk Attasie Nappaaluk

Attasie Nappaaluk of Kangiqsujuaq, one of Nunavik's most well-known and respected elders, received yet another award for her life's work last week, as Governor General Adrienne Clarkson announced her appointment to the Order of Canada.

Throughout her life, Mitiarjuk, 72, has been committed to sharing her knowledge and preserving Inuit culture.

For the last 3 1/2 years, Paul and I have shared "Canku Ota" with you, at no charge.
To date, we've received no funding for our work, either.
But, we now have a dilemma, and we need your help.

Our Featured Artist:

Living Traditions

Jessup Yazzie

Jessup Delbert Yazzie was born Dec. 7, 1998 to Larry Yazzie of the Meskwaki/Dine Nation and to Kaye Annis of the Lakota Nation.

Jessup has been dancing since he could walk, his first dance style was the grassdance style of dancing. Then when he turned 3 years old he was able to carry the fancy dance bustle, so that he could dance the Northen style fancy dance just like his hero, his dad, who is a Northern style fancy dancer.

Life at 40 Below Calls for Common Sense, Good Car
by Dorreen Yellow Bird

Like bugs, we're are firmly under the thumb of the icy arctic. Squirm as we might, we're in for the duration. If you don't live in the Northern states, you truly are missing a unique experience - a good experience.

Our Featured Story:

Northwestern Wisconsin First Person History:

The Eagle and the Snake – Redman Speaks - Part 3
by Geoff Hampton

A Whole New Series to enjoy!!!!

Here Are Two Versions of The Same Battle
submitted by Timm Severud (Ondamitag)

This beautiful lake lies in township 39, range 22. It is about five miles in length by one in breadth and finds an outlet in the Kanabec River. It is celebrated for is historical associations. Thomas Conner, an old trader, informed the writer of these sketches, in 1847, that he had a trading post on the banks of this lake thirty years before, or about the year 1816.

Worth Noting

Entertainment

"Edge of America" CD Release Party

SATURDAY FEBRUARY 21 2004
special guests Joe Reilly, Sara Soctich and Hattie !
and very special guests ANNE DUNN and BILL MILLER

1st Universalist Church
3400 Dupont Ave S.
Minneapolis MN

My Good Friends-BR549

In these times of trying to be, "politically correct," "sensitive ," or, one of my favorites, "be fully aware of diversity," what do you do to relax? Go golfing? Play cards? Spend time with your children and grandchildren? Or, listen to music? You see, being a musician and performer for many, many years, I really enjoy music, but more so, see a live performance. If you've never seen them live, please, if you ever get a chance, go see my good friends, "BR549." Here's our story.

Preserving Languages

Preserving Languages

Native Americans Focus on Preservation of Language

Sims was honored for her work in preserving native languages.

"The Indian nation is not going to survive if we don’t have our language and culture," said Carlotta Penny Bird, assistant secretary for Indian Education, in introducing Sims.

Students Learn Blackfeet

It's a heady experience for King, who learned Blackfeet from his parents as a preschooler in southern Alberta, only to have boarding school teachers try to drum it out of him by whacking his wrists with a yardstick.

"I almost forgot the basics of my native tongue," he said.

Preserving Languages

Preserving Traditions

Saving Lakota

About a quarter century ago, in the remote southwest corner of Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, the students of Loneman School spoke the language of their chiefs, medicine men and ancestors.

On the reservation, the students and their families spoke Lakota almost exclusively in their homes, communities and at Oglala Sioux Tribal Council meetings.

That has changed.

Today, youth no longer learn their native language at the same rate that the language is lost through the deaths of fluent-speaking elders.

Village Students Share Their Dances

Young arms as graceful as tundra willows and arms as robust as hunters’ sketched out the images from living with the land and sky while feet stomped to the rhythm of village drummers at the 11th Stebbins Yupik Cultural Awareness and Dance Festival. About 270 boys and girls participated in the festival that appeared to move along with seamless organization at Tukumgailnguq School Jan. 29 and 30, but nevertheless evidenced hard work by the school team, village volunteers and the spirit of the festival, Rose Anna Dan - Waghiyi, 70.

Preserving Traditions

Preserving Traditions

City Preserves Historic Tribal Observatory

A large, flat-topped stone that ancestors of the Puyallup Indians probably used as an observatory once sat in a hilly meadow fringed by forest, just south of Bonney Lake.

Now the monolith, called Skystone by the experts who discovered its function, squats on the edge of Naches Terrace, a 46-home development under construction.

Heritage Center Announces Ute Culture Loan Plan

The BLM Anasazi Heritage Center invites educators from museums, libraries, schools, scout groups, and 4-H to use the new loan kit, The Bear Dance: Window to Ute Culture. The kit will be available from the museum beginning in March.

Interpreting the prehistoric, historic, and contemporary traditions of the people of the Four Corner’s region is part of the Anasazi Heritage Center’s mission.

Living Traditions

Preserving Traditions

Treaty Separated O'odham

Ignored in the negotiations of the Gadsden Purchase were the people who had lived here longest - the Tohono O'odham.

The border created by the 1854 treaty divided the Indian nation, and efforts to secure that border separate its members, even its families.

Bills introduced by Arizona Congressmen Ed Pastor in 2001 and Raúl Grijalva in 2003 would have granted citizenship to thousands of Tohono O'odham living on both sides of the border. The bill would make tribal membership papers the equivalent of certificates of citizenship or state-issued birth certificates.

Lemhi Shoshoni Explain Role in Journey Lewis and Clark Exhibit Includes Indians' Story

Members of Idaho's Lemhi Shoshoni tribe are getting rave reviews at the Lewis and Clark National Bicentennial Exhibition in St. Louis.

Members of the tribe are featured in and helped produce two films being shown at the $7 million exhibition, which opened this month at the Missouri History Museum in St. Louis.

Honoring Youth

Tuba City's Student Ambassadors

As the 34th President of the United States, Dwight D. Eisenhower sought to find new paths to international understanding in the 1950s.

Because his presidency found itself in the midst of looming nuclear warfare, Eisenhower explored ways to promote human relationships and world harmony. He said he wanted to bring people together by sharing experiences and appreciation of individual cultures so in 1956, he held a White House conference that would bring his idea to fruition.

2004's Outstanding Youth

Boys & Girls Clubs across America select their Youth of the Year based on qualities of sturdy character, leadership and the willingness to serve.

On Jan. 16, the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Navajo Nation (BGCNN) held their first Youth of the Year celebration at the Navajo Nation Museum in Window Rock.

Craig L. Hoskie, a senior at Window Rock High School and a member of Fort Defiance Club, garnered senior division honors. Malcolm Duncan, a fourth grader at the Atsa' Biyaazh Community School and a member of the Shiprock Club, nailed the title for the junior division.

Sports

Sports

Phoenix Suns Host 2nd Annual Tournament at America West Arena

Team registration is now underway for the second annual Native American Basketball Invitational, a high school basketball tournament sponsored by the Phoenix Suns comprised of Native American student/athletes from throughout the United States and Canada.

In response to the overwhelming number of teams that have expressed interested in participating in this year’s tournament, event organizers (POD Productions) have expanded the field to include 28 teams. To accommodate more teams, the first rounds of play July 21-23 will be held on the Salt River Indian Reservation with the tournament moving to the America West Arena for the semi-finals and finals July 24.

Two Ignacio Boxers Begin Quest for Olympics

The dream meets reality today for two area American Indian boxers.

With an eye toward Olympic glory and the accompanying lucrative financial rewards, Ignacio boxers Frank Richards and Jordan Rael, both Southern Ute Tribal Members, step into the ring today for the first round of the Western National Boxing Championships in Bakersfield, Calif. The tournament will run through Saturday.

Richards and Rael received invitations as a result of meeting minimum experience and victory qualifications. Should they win their respective weight divisions in the tournament, they will advance to the Olympic Boxing Trials later this month in Tunica, Miss.

Living Traditions

Entertainment

Morongo Tribe Donates $250,000 To Help Banning Build New Skate Park For Area Youth

A symbolic giant check for the quarter-million-dollar donation was presented by Morongo tribal chairman Maurice Lyons.

'Evening at the Warbonnet'
Native Playwright, Actors Take Audience on Journey

Attending a play can be a visceral, moving experience. This is especially true for the native play "Evening at the Warbonnet," which tackles the controversial issues of suicide, drug abuse, AIDS, murder and narcissism in one fell swoop.

On Saturday night, a predominately native audience that attended a performance of "Warbonnet" left the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center with an understanding of our brief time available on earth.

Health and Wellness

Honoring Elders

Feasts Spread Word About Good Nutrition

Country food is good for you - that's the message from Nunavut's Niqiit Avatittinni Committee.

The committee has been touring communities in the Baffin region to discuss contaminants in foods and talk about the benefits of a traditional diet.

"We're trying to set people at ease ... we stress the importance that despite what you may have heard and concerns you may have, country foods are still the best source of food for you and people in your family," said Eric Loring, who represents the Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami on the tours.

Nisqually Surprise Elder on Her 85th

More than 300 relatives, tribal members and friends gathered Saturday to celebrate the 85th birthday of one of the tribe's most beloved elders.

The party at the Nisqually Tribal Center was a surprise for Blanche Simmons, who walked into the large room thinking she was attending a Hawaiian luau with strings of red and gold balloons and a feast menu that included kalua pig, crab and lomi salmon.

"This has been a well-kept secret," said her sister, Zelma McCloud, 75, a playful grin on her face. "She doesn't even have a clue."

Honoring Youth

Sports

Native American Youth Advocate Receives Entrepreneurship Award

The National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development (NCAIED) announced Jennifer Villalobos as this year's honoree for their "NCAIED Youth Entrepreneurship Award." Villalobos, a member of the Tohono O'odham Nation, and her consulting company, Varenchik & Associates, was chosen from a highly competitive field of nominees. She will be presented with the award at this year's Reservation Economic Summit on Thursday, February 12th in Las Vegas, NV at the Riviera Casino and Conference Center.

NBA: A Dream Within Reach

Foster plays point or shooting guard and has proven himself, all by himself, without drafts, scholarships or any of the common ways that most athletes utilize in college and beyond. He is Navajo and Lakota, and has to overcome the stereotype that befalls all American Indian athletes when it comes to being discovered.

About This Issue's Greeting - "Ka-hay Sho-o Dah Chi"

In traditional and contemporary Crow culture, it is customary to greet each other with a quick glance away or a blink and nod of the head. If they are wearing a hat, they might tip the brim of the hat. Handshaking is a white man's custom and was only recently accepted as a greeting in Crow culture. You will rarely see Crow people embracing publicly. From: Vincent Goes Ahead, Jr., Museum Interpreter, Vice Chairman of the Crow Tribe

This Date In History

Recipe: The Incredible Edible Egg

Story: North Wind and Star Boy

What is this: Walleye

Opportunities

"OPPORTUNITIES" is gathered from sources distributed nationally and includes scholarships, grants, internships, fellowships, and career opportunities as well as announcements for conferences, workshops and symposia.

Canku Ota is a copyright © 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004 of Vicki Lockard and Paul Barry.

The "Canku Ota - A Newsletter Celebrating Native America" web site and its design is the

Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004 of Paul C. Barry.

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